“That ICPA (Aust) advocates for improved rural and remote access and utilisation of Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) funding, currently managed through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).”
Many remote and geographically isolated children are missing out on essential allied health supports due to the ability to access or utilise funding administered through NDIS for Early Childhood Early Intervention. In Bourke the NDIS Early Childhood Partner was McKillop, and they had around seven staff supporting Western NSW. McKillop Family Services has withdrawn, and the workload has been transferred to National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) staff. Remote areas also have a significant underutilisation of ECEI funding, as when children’s needs are identified, there are often no allied health services available to support them. Evidence shows that accessing Early Intervention supports improved educational outcomes.
